JRI's pediatric group therapy programs in central New Jersey provide an alternative or an addition to individual therapy. The goal of our group therapy programs for children is to provide opportunities to learn, practice and reinforce skills needed for successful coping with everyday life experiences at home, in school and within the community.

Each children's group targets either a specific social, psychological or developmental skill or combination of skills that will guide children to successfully meet the challenges they face in daily life.

Pediatric group programs are held throughout the year at our Edison, NJ facility. We are conveniently located for easy access from the greater New York/New Jersey area.

Specialized group therapy programs for children include: 

• The Social Skills Program helps children to develop friendship-making skills related to communication and problem-solving. Children experiencing difficulties with peer relationships benefit from structured play and discussion activities.
   
• Sensory Quest is a program for children who are distractible, have a limited attention span, or  who have difficulty with organization or impulse control. The goal of the program is to help children better understand how to regulate their own behavior within play and learning situations.
   
• Our Therapeutic Exercise group is a movement exploration group where children learn creative expression and enhance gross motor development through various activities. This group focuses on body awareness, balance, coordination, strength and endurance in a fun and energetic environment.
   
• The Write Start is a program designed to help kids develop the foundation for pre-writing/handwriting and fine motor skills with a licensed occupational therapist.
   
• Community-based group programs provided in collaboration with the Edison YMCA, including:
  • Flexible Friends, a movement class designed and taught by a licensed physical therapist to bring fitness and fun to the child and parent
  • See, Sign and Say, a class designed and taught by a licensed speech-language pathologist to teach the child and parent the use of hand-symbols or signs to help children communicate and learn to speak
     
• Gentle Strokes for Little Folks is an infant massage class taught by a licensed occupational therapist that promotes bonding, relaxation, better sleep and development. Additionally, it assists in reducing gas and constipation.